The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-02-17
THE GREAT POWERS.
And the Very Little So Far
Done by Them for
the State.
Bushels of Bills Introduced and
an Abundance of Provender
for Buncombe.
Stray Matters of Gossip Heard
Here and There-About Com
mittee Clerks, and-Some
Other Things.

The senate yesterday morning succeeded
in killing the bill which intended 10 give
mortgages priority OF claim over the al
lowance of widows, funerul expenses and
costs of attendance and physicians in the
last illness. The bill was introduced by
Mcdonald, who stated the reasons for its
passage IL a mastery manner, and he had
vein Of good, practical common sense
running through all OF his remarks; while
all the sentiment and everything that
could appeal to the sympathy of human
nature was against him. On the other
side, the array Of feeling appeal was
legion. The protection Of the widows and
orphans OF the mortgageT had It's old
time effect, but the fact that probably the
mortgage might have died in the mean
time, leaving widows aud orphans depend
ing on that very mortgage for their sup
port, was forgotten. The appeal for fuae-
raj services proportional to the standing
ing Of the decedent, and the fees of nurses
lay the ground work for a most stirring
appeal 20 the sympsthies.
But, in viewing this bill pro and con, 1t
should be borne in mind that i, seems
very unjust for one man to have to pay
all the expenses for physician, funeral
and support OF the widow, as il may often
happen; but, aside from the pathetic part
of this measure. there are some mat
tiers very necessary to be considered.
IL has often been said that
money in Texas is very hard to borrow,
even with good security, and when a
lender can be found, one per cent per
month Is about the lowest rate that can
be gotten. What causes this hardness of
the money market: Il is legislation hay-
ing for It's os:ensible object the ameliora-
ton of the condition OF the poorer classes
on those who must borrow money. but
which, while it may be Of some benefit to
the cases now existing, its conse-
quences may be fatal to those who seek to
borrow money in the future. Take the
case OF man who is in bad health and
wants TO borrow money for his support.
which might probably bring bnck his
health, would any one be willing TO
lend him money on about
the only piece of property he possessed,
with the probability that he might die,
leaving this same property to pay all of
the expenses above mentioned before the
mortgage could be satisfied! The practi-
cal effects of such laws as the existing
ones, on this subject, are TO prevent the
borrowing of money in many cases.
There are times in the lives of many men
when an ability TO raise the necessary
money on his property caa lift him out
of his troubles and put him in condition
20 recover lost ground. Cases of this
kind are occurring every day. The stat
utes OF Texas have abundant instances of
these attempted betterments of the con
ditlon of the poorer classes, and
in nine cases out of ten
IT will be found that the laws virtually
have the effect OF worsting the condition
nf those whom they are intended TO bene- !
ht. Too much protection is worse than |
none at al oil. When the law begins TO |
usurp some of the attributes of a mans |
freedom then the object of the |
foundation of the law is lost in so far as |
hat usurpation is concerned. II is time |
hat halt should be called on legislation |
% protect the poor man; this bill, which |
Mcdonald introduced, is a good place to |
commence.
APPROPRIATION BILL.
The principal changes in the appro-
Driation bill as reported by the finance
'ommittee in the senate are as follows:
Instead of two clerks in state depart
nent at a salary of $l,4OO and $500, re
pectiyely, it is two clerks, $4,000.
In the comptroler's the ok-keeper
'ets $500; increase, 800. Receiving
Jerk, $500; increase, $500. Chief tax
Jerk, $l,S00; increase. $500. Two war
ant clerks, $4,000; increase, 5000. Two
corresponding clerks, $500; increase,
200. Two auditing clerks, $4,000; in
rease, $500. Deposit warrant clerk,
i 600; increase, $500. Redemption and
clerk, $4,000; increase, $500.
In general land Office:
First assistant clerk, $1,000; increase.
300. Supreme court, instead of having
hree librarians, with salary of $500 t
ach, there is one of $500 at Austin. and
ne of $500 each az Galveston and Tyler.
'orter hire changed from $500 TO $40. ,
II Judicial department So 900 for special !
Judges, Is changed to $500. In the adm
ant generals department, $4,000 Is the .
mount set aside for militia companies.
his should be changed to $4,000 by all
means as this amount is the least that
hnnln hn sat nssla g..